Air Force Academy Accepts Springs Cadet

August 18, 2002|By Chris Allen Staff Writer

Chad Daniel Grandell, son of Riley and Ann Grandell of Coral Springs, completed all the requirements and participated in all the interviews to achieve an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy. Grandell was scheduled to report to the academy in the summer of 1997. While playing softball as a member of the softball league at Abundant Life Christian Centre in Margate, he sustained a sports injury that prevented his from accepting the academy appointment. During the following year, Grandell recovered from the injury, attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, and again completed the requirements for a second academy appointment.

"It's quite a task getting an appointment to the Air Force Academy," said his mother Ann. "Chad went through it twice!"

Grandell graduated from the Academy in late May and has been commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in General Engineering and Mathematics. While he at the academy, he served as a soaring Instructor Pilot and taught undergraduates for three years. He was also one of the lead cadets in charge of the Technical Department at Arnold Hall, the Academy's Performing Arts Center, which hosted world-renowned entertainers as well as Broadway shows for the cadets.

Since graduation, Grandell has reported for duty at McGuire Air Force Base in central New Jersey. The base is known for its air mobility support of the war in Afghanistan.

"He is a training officer at McGuire," explained his father, Riley. "He is on call 24-hours-a day, and must be ready to go within one hour. He is very excited about his future."

"We didn't get to see him very much over the last five years," continued the elder Grandell. "But God has a way of working things out. Ann and I are on a consulting assignment. I'm a pastor and we are working up her in New Jersey until December or January. McGuire is about 35 miles away. We all had dinner together and went to a movie just last night."

Serving in the military and being patriotic is a characteristic that runs in the family tree. Grandell himself served for a year and a half until an injury sidelined him.

"My Dad was also in the Air Force and my uncle was in the Marines," said Grandell. "Both of my brothers were in the service. My older brother was in the Air Force and my younger brother was in the Army. Both of my grandpas were in World War I."

Grandell says he wholeheartedly encouraged his son to serve his country.

"He has wanted to be a fighter pilot since he was 6 years old," said Grandell.

In Sept. 2003, he will start pilot training at Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio, Texas. The training takes 18 months to two years. Upon completion Grandell will have reached his goal. He will be a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot with a ten-year commitment to the Air Force.

His father believes Lt. Grandell will make the military his career. "I'm very proud of him," he said.

Grandell graduated from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 1997.

You can reach Chris Allen at callen@sun-sentinel.com or by calling 954-572-2016.